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Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - LorTab

These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

[posted 04/26/2000]
Question: I have been prescribed Lortab 10/500 for migraines. I never take more
than 1 and 1/2 pills a day (15mg total of hydrocodone). Will this amount cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby?
If this small amount will, how bad could they be and how long will they last?

Answer: Probably not, but alert your pediatrician to the usage of the narcotic.

[posted 04/30/2000]
Question: Several members of my family (mine and my husband's) have had
odd reactions to Lortab, which makes me wonder if it is safe
and if many other people are adversely affected by hydrocodone
(one of two active ingredients of Lortab). First let me tell
you what we have experienced. After one use of Lortab for a
sprained ankle, I spent an entire night shaking, crying, so
paranoid that I was in fear for my life my thoughts were
wildly irrational. This was an unual state for me, just in
case you were wondering. My mother-in-law, also after one dose,
was so nauseated that she vommited eleven times in under an
hour as a diabetic, she could have been made very ill, but
recovered in a few hours. My sister-in-law, after only one
dose also, felt drowsy and fell asleep. An hour or so later,
rose and, taking a butcher knife, went after her mother, whom
she believed was trying to kill her. This woman has never
had before or since anything even remotely close to this
happen before. My husband had eye surgery this week and was
prescribed Lortab. His reaction was mild in comparison: only
irritability and drowsiness that did not result in sleep,
because there was no pain relief. In my case years before, I
too got no pain relief via this drug. What is wrong with
this medication? Could this many of us just be allergic? BTW
none of us has an allergy to acetaminophen (the other active
ingredient in Lortab).

Answer: There is nothing wrong with the medication. These are side effects that one sees with narcotics from time to time. Narcotics can produce all these side effects, the nausea would be the most common.

[posted 03/7/2000]
Question: The pharmacy has just advised me that Inderal LA will no longer be available when my current Rx expires as the manufactueres are no longer making it. Why is this medication no longer available? Have there been any long term effects that may have lead the FDA or others to question it's efficacy or safety?

Answer: Haven't a clue, probably they're not making enough $$$.

[posted 03/7/2000]
Question: Hi I am 7 months pregnant and I have been taking LORTAB. I was taking 3 a day during the first month but I've been taking
1 a day ever since. They are the 10/500 dose. I am wondering how it would affect my baby and how bad the withdrawal would be for the baby.
Like I said, I am taking only 1 a day so how bad would the withdrawal be? Also, if I have another C-section and I am put under
anesthesia would I be harmed from taking LORTAB because I was told the doctor has to know you are on it before having surgery.
Why is that? Please reply soon because I only have 11 weeks left and I need to know about possible birth defects from this drug and how
bad the withdrawal would be to the baby. I also need to know if I shouldn't be put under anesthesia during surgery. Thanks!

Answer: Why not stop the lortab? This is a moderately addicting drug, depending on your daily dosage. One a day is pretty minimal, but none would be better. If you stop now, I doubt you would see any problems with your baby.

[posted 02/28/2000]
Question: what is the difference between lortab and darvocet? which one works the best for severe back pain?

Answer: Lortab is hydrocodone plus acetaminophen, darvocet is propoxyphene plus acetaminophen. Lortab is generally a little more potent, but occasional patients get better relief with darvocet. Lortab also comes in increasing dose sizes which darvocet does not.

[posted 02/24/2000]
Question: I have a friend who has been taking lortabs for several years. There is no medical condition associated with the use of lortabs. Recently this individual went in for treatment of addiction and Methadone is being used. What is the best way to withdraw from this drug? Will an addiction to methadone occur? How long should methadone be used? Thank you.

Answer: Leave that to the methadone clinic.

[posted 11/3/1999]
Question: I have been taking painkillers for 5-6 years. I take 10-20 lortabs (5,7.5,10mg) a day. Anywhere from 50mg-200mg of hydrocodone per day. I started taking these pills for back pain but now I feel like I have to take them to survive. I really dont need them for pain. This addiction has consumed my entire life. When I dont have pills, I spend all my time, trying to find some. If I go without pills, I get extremely irritable and my whole body hurts. Can you please help me get off this medication. I do not want to enter a rehab because of my job. Can I quit cold turkey? If so, what withdrawals can I expect, and how long will they last? Is there anything I can take to help with the withdrawals? I really want to quit, can you help? I would appreciate any advice that will help me overcome this addiction. Please e-mail me at jrichison30@hotmail.com (my e-mail address is case sensitive). Thank you for the help!!!!

[posted 08/20/1999]
Question: What is loritab and how will it affect me?

Answer: Lortab is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It comes in different combinations of the narcotic and acetaminophen. 2.5/500 ,5/500, 7.5/500, 10/500 and elixir 7.5mg/500 per 15 ml. Like any narcotic will cause some amount of sedation, constipation, decreased sensation and decreased pain. Occasional nausea, especially on an empty stomach.

[posted 08/15/1999]
Question: I was taking Lortab 10/500 as prescribed every 4hrs or as needed for pain. My script ran out over the weekend and my mother gave me her darvocet-n 100. My question is will a drug screen differentiate between the two drugs? While I'm thinking of it will my prescribed ziac 2.5mg show on the test?

Answer: Both would show on most drug testing. Depending on what the drug testing is looking for the Ziac might. But, in general they are looking for sedative and illicit drug use, Ziac would be neither.

[posted 08/12/1999]
Question: Since I am taking so many medications, I often times deal with an upset stomach. I have recently discovered if I let the Lortab dissolve under my tongue, I get relief without the upset stomach. By doing this, am I lessening any of the pain relief properties contained in the Lortab?

Answer: No.

[posted 08/11/1999]
Question: All I read about Lortab says I have completely opposite side effects. I have a large upper body, 5'11", 260lbs, no allergies to medication, had asthma when I was a child. Ok, now for my side effects.
Effect \\#1: After taking a 10mg tablet I was able to drive, walk, and run with out hardly any effects. I am able to focus and remember 100% better. While at work I get more work done and complete more task then before.
Effect \\#2: My wife is at the age when see wants sex every night. We like to have a lot of forplay before intercourse, and by this time I only last maybe 5 min. But if we start around 2 hrs. after taking a pill I am able to last 10 to 15 min. and double the pleasure on my part when I do come.
Question: Is there something wrong with me and is there something I could take to get the same effect \\#1 and yes \\#2 that is not adictive or a pain killer. And no I do not have any problems getting it up.
Every thing I read does not list these side effects. It says I should have clouded thinking instead of hightend thinging and nothing about sexual side effects.

Answer: The sexual delay is pretty predictable since it does decrease the sensation somewhat and would prolong time to orgasm. As to the first, part, can't tell you. Watch out for addiction, you sound very convinced of it's benefits.

LorTab Elixir [posted 7/31/98]
Question: I have taken the above medicine for about 4 weeks. I finally got off the drug,
but am now experiencing nervousness and an anxiousness. How long will this
take to go away, and is there any medication I can take to counteract this
effect?

Answer: You should have problems for about 2-3 weeks at the most. There is no medication that will particularly help.